User reviews

I'll start with my positives: I loved the storyline of this movie. I loved the "magic" aspect and the helper, Carol, was great. The sets and scenery were great, too. Most of the acting was good. However (here comes the not-so-good), I haven't ever seen the lead, Lexi, before. She kind of fell flat for me. I agree with one of the other reviews about her coat. lol I didn't realize she was pregnant so that makes sense now. It just seemed a little meh for me. I think in these movies the actors play off of each other and their chemistry can make a movie and the lack of chemistry can break it and I just didn't feel there was any chemistry at all.

Passing grade for props, decorations and staging. Costuming especially for star female role was terrible. There appeared to be two different women playing that role. I wonder who casted her and how she got the part, at times she appeared to be reading a monitor. She had a hard time convincing me that there was a merry Christmas going on.

Very Sugary Story with rather bland acting and a very manufactured feeling.The home and decorations were however Beautiful.Would only watch during the holidays.Never heard of any the actors but was interesting to see something filmed in Winnipeg.

Your leads were all wrong. No chemistry. Lexi seemed green and not believable. Scott was more convincing. Beth is always wonderful. Not sure who played Grandpa but he was good. I like the storyline but just couldn't finish this movie.

This movie was just blah. No chemistry at all. The only bright spot was "Carol". I have always enjoyed her. If this movie had been played by a completely different cast it could have been a hit. But it seemed like this was everyone's very first acting job and it was if they were just reading a script out loud. Love the story but the actors ruined it. Come on Lifetime... You can do better then that... I've seen it.

I usually give points for filming winter scenes in actual wintery locations, but this is the second one this year filmed in Winnipeg...but not in winter. WHY bother? At least they looked bundled up against the fake snow in this one.

I love Beth Broderick and Mark Ghanime, but not in this one. Boring? Slow? Stupid? Not sure. As another reviewer noted, not sure what I was watching here. And Lexi Lawson is on Broadway? Really? Then she needs to take an "acting for the camera" course. The few (and odd) rave reviews on here must from people who know her. I agree with majority of reviewers who found her to be amateurish.

Both the director and casting director need a kick in the head for this mess. They cast for diversity, but hire an actress who can't act, and then this is the worst, give the lead guy a redhead white guy for a brother. Were they adopted? Did I miss that part?

I would say don't waste your time, but it's not likely this one will get a repeat showing.

Preface to say I've seen a load of Hallmark movies and when I critique I take at face value and lower standards for depth of character and plot complexity. Its supposed to be easy light watching. It's cookie cutter plot and characters. Over the years Ive seen some, however that were deep and everyone was connected, had chemistry, and some actors just naturally bring more to the table. The acting in this was a giant train wreck. If there was a word meaning flatter than flat I would use it. This felt like some people in beginners high school drama class reading off a script for the first time. I couldnt watch more than cursory 10 minutes in between something else.

The writing for this movie was really nice. But I honestly think Lexi brought a out a lot of magic in this one. Her smile. Her voice. Her. She deserves more of these. She's a fresh face. I was pleased to see her. I also love how her acting wasn't "over the top." It looked so natural, I forgot she was acting! Also, whoever did the lighting and makeup for this flick was awesome too. Hats off to Scott! I think I'll watch this one every holiday season. Lexi did an awesome job!

Just to say now, in my view not all Lifetime's Christmas offerings are bad. Actually was pleasantly surprised by some, which has been true of my film viewings of Hallmark/Lifetime etc Christmas films in general over-time. Actually really liked the concept here for 'Always and Forever Christmas', it sounded so sweet and poignant, but whether it was going to work was all going to be dependent on the likeability of the characters and two leads, their interaction and how the story would be executed.

2019 was a very mixed to fairly unimpressive year overall for Lifetime. 'Always and Forever Christmas' for me was among the worst. Didn't think it was that terrible, always look for good things in every less than mediocre film watched and 'Always and Forever Christmas' did have them. It is also not a very good film at all sadly, at best quite weak with its worst aspects being terrible. Even with knowing what to expect, 'Always and Forever Christmas' didn't work.

'Always and Forever Christmas' has its good things. The best thing about it is Beth Broderick, she attacks her part with spirit and charm and brings class to the film. Mark Ghanime was also solid, he seemed very genuine and easy going.

It is lovingly shot and has suitably picturesque scenery, the decorations are beautiful. There are some pleasant moments in the soundtrack, emphasis though on some.

On the other hand, it is agreed that Lexi Lawson is truly amateurish, saying her lines with no feelings and she just looks zombie-like throughout. The rest of the cast also don't stand out. Few of the characters are well developed or likeable (Ghanime and Broderick being the sole exceptions) and Lawson and Ghanime have no chemistry between them, they wouldn't even convince as friends yet alone lovers.

The pedestrian direction doesn't help them. Neither does the cliched character writing, that gives the characters like one or two character traits and not much else, or the soggy and corny script that really overdoes the sentiment to saccharine degrees. The story sounded so charming on paper, but ended up being dull, over-sentimental and running out of ideas-like. The ending can be seen from a mile away and left me cold rather than moved. The music tends to be too constant and too loud.

In conclusion, quite lacking in most areas. 3/10.

I really hate to say anything negative, and I did love the idea of the storyline, the decorations, as well as Beth Broderick. but the film itself was just ok and not really believable to me. I had a hard time connecting with the lead, who was beautiful, but almost unlikable at times. So sorry to say that, but I have to agree that there was just no chemistry in general.

If it weren't for Lexi Lawson. Her terrible acting destroyed anything this movie could have been. It was painful to watch. Her lines were strained, and she sounded like she was reading off a teleprompter. Another complaint is the sound quality of this movie. It's inconsistent, and some of the character's voices seemed to be dubbed over. Lexi's voice especially. It's really a shame, because the premise of this movie is great. I love a Christmas movie with a magical element to it.. But a bad main actor can ruin an entire movie, and sadly, that's what happened in this case.

I watch for about 30 minutes - which was about 28 minutes too long. What a terrible movie! Terrible story. Terrible acting. Lifetime might consider sticking with their "woman in peril" story lines. The 2019 Christmas offerings, thus far, gave just plain been BAD.

Yes the same old storyline but I was drawn into it within minutes. I thought it was well done and acted and I have no beef with it at all. Lovely way to spend some viewing time. Just one question, how come Randall was in short sleeves most of the time and everyone else was dressed for the Arctic? Anyway give it a go peeps, I dare you not to enjoy it.

The acting (especially from the female lead) makes this movie almost unwatchable. It seems like she gives no effort to try and act the part; it makes for awkward interactions between her and other actors, especially the male lead. She was just incredibly dull and it makes it difficult to get interested. I was stuck wondering "why would anyone even be interested in a person who behaves like this". Beth Broderick was lovely and did help make the movie not a complete dud. It could have had potential if casting was chose properly..the lousy acting seems to be what really did it in for me.

Love Mark always, especially in these Lifetime movies, ten stars. Beth is an added bonus. As others pointed out, the main actress can't act and honestly her character is the worse, not likable at all. It makes new movie unwatchable.

Very poor acting! Wanted to quit as soon as the movie started but I love Beth Broderick and wanted to give it a chance. Lexi seems very new to acting and needs more practice, it's like watching a local high school Christmas play. I think maybe this movie would have been better with a different lead like Tamara or Tia Mowery. There was not any chemistry between the 2 leads Lexi and Mark was not there. The plot was good, and would had potential with. Different Lucy. Even the small roles were just not that great. Will not be in my future Christmas movie watchlist. Lifetime can do better than these actors, but Beth as always did great!

I don't expect much from Christmas movies, but I usually watch a bunch during December, and this year there were actually 1 or 2 above average. Those were the ones where several of the actors could actually act.

This wasn't one of them.

I think this was the worst I've watched this year.

Not so much because the plot was stupid, that seems to be mandatory for these flicks. (A shop that only sells Christmas stuff ?) They must be doing terribly well during Christmas time to make ends meet for the rest of the year, considering that the stuff they sell seems to be in the cheap end.

But the acting ! Oh brother !

I understand that Ms Lawson was in Hamilton on Broadway, and allegedly did very well there, but there's a big difference between acting on stage and acting on camera, and she certainly has to up her game considerably there. Keeping a forced smile on her face all the time and sounding like she read her lines from a teleprompter doesn't quite work.

1 star each to Ghanime and Broderick for working hard to make this work, but pretty much a wasted effort.

Great movie.. I loved the lead characters. Really gets you in the holiday mood. And in the end we all want to see them together. I would like to see Lexi sing more in her future movies ..She has a great voice !!

On a few websites I saw that this movie made top 10 for Lifetime Christmas movies so I wanted to check it out. My kids and I found ourselves really enjoying this movie. It's Lifetime and it's Christmas! A feel good, funny, fun loving movie with a magical element! I thought the lead girl did a really wonderful job! Each scene was full of personality - I found myself giggling often which is rare with lifetime movies. I hope to see her in more movies because she is very talented. I always love watching Beth ( as Carol) - she brings so much life to the roles she does and I love how she never said who her ' husband ' was. The toy store was so pretty too. Very Christmas! What more could you want during the holiday season!! Great Job Lifetime!

I loved the Christmas magic in this movie and I loved the lead actor. Wow is he hot. The story was cute and I would watch it again.

The movie was great... I enjoy watching all these movies throughout the holidays. But then I realized it was Lexi Lawson from Broadway's Hamilton!!! She was fantastic! Loved her on Broadway and was very happy to see her on TV!!! Great performance!!!